2. Challenging religious changes 1533-1537
❖ The impact of Henrician religious changes, 1533–37
❖The causes and impact of the Lincolnshire Rising and the Pilgrimage of
Grace
❖The role of leaders in challenge and suppression
The impact of Henrician religious changes 1533-37
Roman Catholic religious practises in early Tudor England
The pope was the Supreme Head of the Church and he controlled: Canterbury and York.
The Mass: Catholics were expected to attend church to hear mass every sunday and holy days.
It was recited in Latin and the important part was the Eucharist (when the priest said prayers
over bread and wine). Catholics believed the bread was the body and wine was the blood of
Jesus.
The Sacraments: Eucharist was one of the 7 sacraments which Catholics could receive. Some
others were: Baptism, confirmation, marriage etc.
Heaven, Hell & Purgatory: Catholics believed they would go to hell or heaven. But, Catholics
can only go to heaven if they are free from sin. So if they sinned, they would go to Purgatory
(temporary state before entering heaven). The length depends on their sins and they could do
special tasks during their lifetime called ‘Indulgences’.
Pilgrimages: Journeys taken by people to special religious places. It allowed them to go to
Heaven
Clergy: 2 types: secular (included bishops and priests) & regular (monks, nuns etc).
Anticlericalism
Described the opposition to the church. Led to the Reformation. There are 4 strands of
Anticlericalism:
➔ Political anticlericalism: Opposes the Church’s involvement in political matters
➔ Philosophical Anticlericalism: Challenges the Church’s influence on education,
science etc
➔ Economic Anticlericalism: Criticises the wealth and economic power of the Church,
➔ Moral Anticlericalism: Objects to the Church’s moral authority
Protestantism
Originated in Germany & Switzerland. Main writers included Martin Luther.
→ The ideas reached England in 1530 and mainly spread from Bristol and Ireland etc.
, Ideas of Martin Luther:
➔ Challenged authority of Pope
➔ Published Bible in German, not Latin
➔ Disliked singing, preaching etc
➔ Rejected ceremonies/ideas which didn’t originate from the bible
1533→ Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn (protestant) and divorces Catherine of Aragon
→ The break with Rome was masterminded by Thomas Cromwell (example of social mobility,
was son of a blacksmith but became a lawyer) and led to a series of Acts of Parliament, which
legalised Henry’s actions.
Nature of the royal supremacy
It was the change in relationship between the English monarchy and its subjects. Henry
VIII saw this as the best way to divorce Catherine.
→ 1534 Act of Supremacy→ made Henry VIII the supreme head of the church of England. It
marked the formal separation of the English Church from the authority of the Pope and the
Roman Catholic Church
→ 1534 Treason Act could prosecute those who refused to swear an oath of loyalty
Cromwell’s changes to the Doctrine and practises of the English Church
Doctrine→ beliefs set out by the church
Cromwell was keen to promote the doctrinal changes.
➔ 1535, Henry appointed Cromwell as Vicegerent in Spirituals. Gave him power of the
Church and he used this power to alter the doctrine. He used his position to launch
propaganda campaign:
● Preaching was controlled through the government and the clergy was ordered to support
Henry’s new marriage
● Royal letters were sent to all higher ups to imprison those who still supported the Pope
● Act of ten Articles 1936 was the first attempt to define the doctrine of the new English
Church
● Cromwell issued a set of Injunctions (instructions) to the English Clergy which attacked
traditional practises like pilgrimages etc
Henry supported all of the above. However, the traditional Catholic regions like the North were
reluctant. So many of the rebels in 1536 focused on targeting Cromwell as the men to
blame etc.
The break with Rome
The break with Rome had an impact on England and Henry was determined to enforce
obedience.
→ The parliamentary legislation made it possible for Henry to claim the break with Rome was
legal because it had the support of the English people. They could be punished if they
disobeyed (Treason Act)
❖ The impact of Henrician religious changes, 1533–37
❖The causes and impact of the Lincolnshire Rising and the Pilgrimage of
Grace
❖The role of leaders in challenge and suppression
The impact of Henrician religious changes 1533-37
Roman Catholic religious practises in early Tudor England
The pope was the Supreme Head of the Church and he controlled: Canterbury and York.
The Mass: Catholics were expected to attend church to hear mass every sunday and holy days.
It was recited in Latin and the important part was the Eucharist (when the priest said prayers
over bread and wine). Catholics believed the bread was the body and wine was the blood of
Jesus.
The Sacraments: Eucharist was one of the 7 sacraments which Catholics could receive. Some
others were: Baptism, confirmation, marriage etc.
Heaven, Hell & Purgatory: Catholics believed they would go to hell or heaven. But, Catholics
can only go to heaven if they are free from sin. So if they sinned, they would go to Purgatory
(temporary state before entering heaven). The length depends on their sins and they could do
special tasks during their lifetime called ‘Indulgences’.
Pilgrimages: Journeys taken by people to special religious places. It allowed them to go to
Heaven
Clergy: 2 types: secular (included bishops and priests) & regular (monks, nuns etc).
Anticlericalism
Described the opposition to the church. Led to the Reformation. There are 4 strands of
Anticlericalism:
➔ Political anticlericalism: Opposes the Church’s involvement in political matters
➔ Philosophical Anticlericalism: Challenges the Church’s influence on education,
science etc
➔ Economic Anticlericalism: Criticises the wealth and economic power of the Church,
➔ Moral Anticlericalism: Objects to the Church’s moral authority
Protestantism
Originated in Germany & Switzerland. Main writers included Martin Luther.
→ The ideas reached England in 1530 and mainly spread from Bristol and Ireland etc.
, Ideas of Martin Luther:
➔ Challenged authority of Pope
➔ Published Bible in German, not Latin
➔ Disliked singing, preaching etc
➔ Rejected ceremonies/ideas which didn’t originate from the bible
1533→ Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn (protestant) and divorces Catherine of Aragon
→ The break with Rome was masterminded by Thomas Cromwell (example of social mobility,
was son of a blacksmith but became a lawyer) and led to a series of Acts of Parliament, which
legalised Henry’s actions.
Nature of the royal supremacy
It was the change in relationship between the English monarchy and its subjects. Henry
VIII saw this as the best way to divorce Catherine.
→ 1534 Act of Supremacy→ made Henry VIII the supreme head of the church of England. It
marked the formal separation of the English Church from the authority of the Pope and the
Roman Catholic Church
→ 1534 Treason Act could prosecute those who refused to swear an oath of loyalty
Cromwell’s changes to the Doctrine and practises of the English Church
Doctrine→ beliefs set out by the church
Cromwell was keen to promote the doctrinal changes.
➔ 1535, Henry appointed Cromwell as Vicegerent in Spirituals. Gave him power of the
Church and he used this power to alter the doctrine. He used his position to launch
propaganda campaign:
● Preaching was controlled through the government and the clergy was ordered to support
Henry’s new marriage
● Royal letters were sent to all higher ups to imprison those who still supported the Pope
● Act of ten Articles 1936 was the first attempt to define the doctrine of the new English
Church
● Cromwell issued a set of Injunctions (instructions) to the English Clergy which attacked
traditional practises like pilgrimages etc
Henry supported all of the above. However, the traditional Catholic regions like the North were
reluctant. So many of the rebels in 1536 focused on targeting Cromwell as the men to
blame etc.
The break with Rome
The break with Rome had an impact on England and Henry was determined to enforce
obedience.
→ The parliamentary legislation made it possible for Henry to claim the break with Rome was
legal because it had the support of the English people. They could be punished if they
disobeyed (Treason Act)
